# US 8,542,386 B2 · Electronics device capable of wireless communication, electronics device system, and wireless communication method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,542,386 B2 - Document ID: US8542386B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/007,559 - Filed: 2011-01-14 - Published: 2011-09-29 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-23 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Hideaki Ogata - Inventors: Hideaki Ogata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542386B2 ## CPC - H04W 8/005: {Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals} - G06K 15/4045: {Managing the interface to the data source, e.g. choosing an interface for data reception} - H04W 84/047: {using dedicated repeater stations} - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract An electronics device, which is connected to a host apparatus via a wireless communication, includes a communication section configured to perform a wireless communication, and a communication control section configured to, if a start-up timing of the electronics device is earlier than any start-up timing of at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a master device, so as to cause the communication section to perform relaying of a wireless communication between the host apparatus and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and if a start-up timing of the electronics device is later than any start-up timing of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a sub device, so as to cause the communication section to perform a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the master device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronics device, which is connected to a host apparatus via a wireless communication, the electronics device comprising: a communication section configured to perform a wireless communication; and a communication control section configured to, if a start-up timing of the electronics device is earlier than any start-up timing of at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, which is connected to the host apparatus via a wireless communication, and further, is in an operating condition, perform control, as a master device, so as to cause the communication section to perform relaying of a wireless communication between the host apparatus and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and if a start-up timing of the electronics device is later than any start-up timing of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, perform control, as a sub device, so as to cause the communication section to perform a wireless communication with the host apparatus via a master device that is one of the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronics device according to claim 1, wherein, in the host apparatus, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication recipient, in the case where the electronics device is the master device, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication originator, and in the case where the electronics device is the sub device, communication information corresponding to the master device is set as a communication recipient, and further, communication information specific to the electronics device is set as a communication originator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronics device according to claim 1, wherein information associated with an order of the start-up timings of the electronics device and the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device is retained, and wherein, on the basis of the information, a determination as to whether the start-up timing is earlier or later is made. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronics device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is performed by using an ad-hoc mode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronics device according to claim 1, wherein the electronics device has two communication systems, and wherein, when functioning as the master device, one of the two communication systems is used for a communication with the host computer, and the other one of the two communication systems is used for a communication with the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronics device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is performed by using an infrastructure mode, and wherein, when functioning as the master device, the electronics device functions as an access point. ### Claim 7 An electronics device system including a host apparatus and a plurality of electronics devices, the host apparatus and the plurality of electronics devices being connected to one another via a wireless communication, wherein an electronics device, the start-up timing of which is the earliest start-up timing of that of at least one electronics device in an operating condition among the plurality of electronics devices, relays a wireless communication between the host apparatus and at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and wherein the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device performs a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the electronics device whose start-up timing is the earliest start-up timing. ### Claim 8 A wireless communication method for an electronics device system including a host apparatus and a plurality of electronics devices, the host apparatus and the plurality of electronics devices being connected to one another via a wireless communication, wherein an electronics device, the start-up timing of which is the earliest start-up timing of that of at least one electronics device in an operating condition among the plurality of electronics devices, relays a wireless communication between the host apparatus and at least one electronics device other than the electronics device, and wherein the at least one electronics device other than the electronics device performs a wireless communication with the host apparatus via the electronics device whose start-up timing is the earliest start-up timing.